
Surf Forecasts:
Sandbar surf forecast from 5 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 11 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 11s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 11 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 11s period, S swell with 566 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 11s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Sandbar this week:
The surf forecast for Sandbar over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 06) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Sandbar in the next 16 days are 1.6m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Monday (Aug 10) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Thu 6th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Tue 11th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Tue 11th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sandbar over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s cut to it—this 16-day run for Sandbar is a proper mixed bag, and it takes its sweet time getting going. The first week is pretty much a wash for anything decent. You’re looking at small, weak surf with a lot of onshore and cross-shore junk in the water. The good news? There are a couple of serious windows hiding in there, especially if you’re patient and don’t mind waiting.
The first real glimmer of hope shows up on the morning of Monday, the 10th. We’ve got a fresh offshore breeze whipping in, and the swell bumps up to about 5 feet from the NE. The energy is still pretty average at 391, but it’s clean and hollow-ish. That afternoon though, the wind howls up to 25 mph, making it a battle just to get out. Not worth it.
Then comes the real standout. Thursday morning, the 13th of August. This is the one I’m circling on the calendar. The swell jumps to a solid 10 feet from the south, with a period of 10 seconds, and the combined energy is a massive 2893. That’s a proper pulse of power. The wind is light and cross-offshore, which is going to groom it into clean, lined-up waves. But listen, this is serious size—10 feet is not for beginners. It’s a reef break, exposed, and on a big south swell like this, it’s going to be a heavy, expert-only session. For the crew who know what they’re doing, this is going to be firing. It’s a real standout, but you need to earn it.
The rest of that week is still pretty messy. The afternoons get chopped up by onshore winds, and the swell drops back down. There’s another promising window on the morning of Tuesday, the 18th. The swell is around 5-6 feet from the SSE, with a 10-second period, and the energy is solid at 635. The wind is light and cross-offshore again, so it should be clean and fun. That’s your pick for the second week—a couple of good lefts and rights, but nothing on the scale of the 13th.
The crowds at Sandbar are often there, so expect some company on the good days. The water temp is 64°, which is about average for this time of year, so a spring suit is fine.
So, in short: the first few days are a bust. Sift through the small stuff and the wind until that Thursday the 13th rolls around. That’s the day you want to be up early. After that, Tuesday the 18th looks decent too, just a bit smaller. Keep your expectations in check for the rest, and you’ll be alright.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Sat morning, strong winds from the W by Mon morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | E 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | NE 9 | NE 9 | SW 8 | SSW 10 | S 10 | S 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
43 | 39 | 23 | 35 | 65 | 125 | 74 | 113 | 81 | 48 | 64 | 132 | 134 | 212 | 365 | 388 | 152 | 289 | 426 | 441 | 293 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | on | off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 12:45PM1.37m | 00:47AM1.15m | 1:45PM1.40m | 1:59AM1.04m | 2:54PM1.46m | 3:23AM0.98m | 4:04PM1.54m | 4:46AM0.99m | 5:10PM1.64m | 5:55AM1.05m | 6:08PM1.74m | 6:53AM1.12m | 7:01PM1.82m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:01PM0.45m | 6:59AM0.28m | 8:20PM0.45m | 7:59AM0.34m | 9:46PM0.40m | 9:08AM0.36m | 11:03PM0.30m | 10:20AM0.34m | 00:08AM0.19m | 11:26AM0.29m | 1:02AM0.08m | 12:25PM0.23m | 1:49AM0.00m | ||||||||
6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | |
— | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 14 |
Feels °C | 11 | 13 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 10 | 12 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 5 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | E 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 8 | S 8 | NE 9 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | SSW 10 | S 10 | S 9 |
43 | 39 | 9 | 35 | 65 | 125 | 74 | 113 | 81 | 48 | 64 | 132 | 134 | 12 | 5 | 388 | 152 | 68 | 426 | 441 | 293 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 11 | E 8 | E 10 | SSW 5 | SE 10 | SSE 10 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | S 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 7 | SSE 8 | E 14 | E 14 | S 13 | E 13 | E 13 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 |
7 | 9 | 21 | 18 | 10 | 24 | 56 | 21 | 28 | 33 | 22 | 18 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 55 | 56 | 74 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | S 10 | S 11 | ENE 7 | E 10 | E 11 | E 7 | E 8 | E 10 | ENE 7 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 7 | S 11 | S 10 | — | S 13 | E 13 | NNE 7 | S 18 | NNE 4 |
2 | 2 | 23 | 5 | 19 | 20 | 26 | 12 | 7 | 18 | 32 | 16 | 4 | 2 | 2 | — | 3 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 6 | SSW 6 | W 3 | SSW 5 | — | — | WSW 2 | — | — | SSW 2 | — | NE 3 | NNE 4 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | W 4 | WSW 5 | SW 8 | W 4 | W 4 | W 3 |
46 | 17 | 5 | 15 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | 4 | 12 | 212 | 365 | 35 | 77 | 289 | 24 | 28 | 6 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 49 | 2 | 49 | 0 | 158 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 2 | 61 | 16 | 5 | 102 | 16 | 94 | 79 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Port Macquarie | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Sandbar Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Sandbar provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Sandbar can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Sandbar surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Sandbar) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Sandbar may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Are you planning a holiday in Port Macquarie? If you are looking for accommodation near Sandbar, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Port Macquarie, consider staying in Forster which is 25 km (16 miles) away. Other places in and around Port Macquarie where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Taree which is 55 km (34 miles) away, Port Stephens and Newcastle.











